Best Museums in New South Wales

"Occupying a prime location next to Sydney’s Darling Harbour, the Australian National Maritime Museum is a must-visit for tourists as well as for local Sydney-siders. As the name suggests, the Australian National Maritime Museum is focussed on Australia’s maritime history, and is home to an impressive collection of objects that go as far back as the 17th century. Note that tickets are required for specific exhibitions and to enter the ships and vessels that are on display inside and outside the museum."

"The Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) is Australia’s national centre for maritime collections, exhibitions, research and archaeology. Grab a free ticket from the front desk for admission into the permanent indoor galleries and under 5s play area “Mini Mariners”. For entry into our fave spot, the “Kids on Deck” craft area, visiting exhibitions and the ships, a paid ticket is required."

"* James Craig – (Sydney Heritage Fleet... Location: Sydney"

"Housed in a historic Art Deco building it contains more than 4,000 works of modern art and is dedicated to showcasing the works of living artists from Australia, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, along with artists around the world. It displays paintings, photographs, sculptures, drawings, film, and performance art. Whilst you're indulging your creative..."

"The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia is one of the city’s must-see museums dedicated to living artists. Located on the bank of the picturesque Sydney Harbour, it’s home to a vast collection of both international and Australian masterpieces of painting, sculpture, photography and moving images. It also has a large collection of works from indigenous artists."

"Before the light rail returned to Sydney, trams were something that many people believed was a Melbourne thing unaware that Sydney had an extensive tram system in place. It makes sense then that the Sydney Tramway Museum is Australia’s oldest tramway museum and the largest in the southern hemisphere. The Sydney Tramway Museum boasts quite a collection of trams including Sydney trams from 1896 to 1997 as well as trams from across Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne, Ballarat and Adelaide) and even from overseas such as San Francisco, Nagasaki, Berlin, Munich and Milan."

"The Sydney Tramway Museum is the oldest museum of its kind in Australia and is a fantastic family-friendly destination. For anyone who has wondered what it would be like to get on board a tram in the early 20th century..."

"Built by famous convict architect Francis Greenway, Sydney’s Conservatorium, part of the University of Sydney, began life as a Gothic picturesque stable for Governor Macquarie. Known as “a palace for horses”, the building was so expensive it caused Macquarie to be recalled to Mother England. Today you can visit the building to attend one of the many concerts put on by students or stroll the outside when touring the Botanic Gardens."

"Sydney’s premier music school is on the edge of the Royal Botanic Garden. The building looks like a castle but was actually originally built as stables for the nearby Government House. Because it’s a school, not all areas are open to the public but you can see three levels of the atrium."

"A landmark building near Circular Quay, this is the location of the library. It used to be the headquarters of the Customs service and is an impressive building to walk through. One of the best features to check out is a small scale model of Sydney under the glass floor."

"Located on the Kamay Botany Bay National Park’s northern headland and housed in a historic Cable Station building, the La Perouse Museum documents the 1787-1788 expedition of Comte de Lapérouse who arrived in Botany Bay a week after the First Fleet before departing and then mysteriously disappearing. When visiting La Perouse Museum make sure to visit the Macquarie Watchtower, Pere Receveurs Tomb and Bare Island. Opening Times: Wednesdays and Fridays, 10.00 am to 2.00 pm | Saturdays and Sundays, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm | Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.Ticket Prices: FREEAddress: 1542 Anzac Parade, La PerouseWebsite:La Perouse Museum webpage"

"Feature: A mix of Aboriginal history and artefacts from the expedition of French Explore La Perouse who reached Australia in 1788 just days after the English. Unlike many on this list, this Museum is well outside the CBD, in the coastal suburb of La Perouse. Housed in the old Cable Station, which once connected Australia to the rest of the world via telegraph, the Museum commemorates the famous La Perouse expedition, a French scientific endeavour whose ships arrived around Port Jackson at roughly the same time as the First Fleet."

"The last one on this list of free Sydney museums is not as well-known as most other museums, but La Perouse Museum at the southern end of Anzac Parade is certainly worth a visit. The museum is housed in the former Telegraph Cable Station building on the La Perouse headland, and is home to a large collection of exhibits related to the 1787–1788 expedition of a French naval officer and explorer. This expedition arrived in Australia one week after the First Fleet, and vanished without a trace months later."

"Known collectively as Sydney Living Museums, families are always welcome to explore the twelve gorgeous heritage properties under the SLM umbrella including Elizabeth Farm,Vaucluse House, Rouse Hill House & Farm and Elizabeth Bay House. Each boasts beautiful grounds and a story from Australia’s past at every turn, and there are always exciting activities on the calendar. The Museum of Sydney has been transformed into Paradise on Earth with an immersive, multi-sensory exhibition and Hyde Park Barracks has a new Kids’ Activity Trail to explore the newly-restored landmark."

"Museum Of Sydney, Hyde Park Barracks, Justice & Police Museum, Vaucluse House, The Mint, Elizabeth Farm, Susannah Place, Rose Seidler House, Rouse Hill Estate, Elizabeth Bay House, Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection,Head Office, The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street Sydney, NSW 2000Ph 02 8239 2288Email info@slm.com.ausydneylivingmuseums.com.auA group of 12 museums, houses and gardens that will take you on a remarkable journey through time and place to experience a whole other life."

"When I was little I was taught that museums are a place to look and wonder – no touching. The Sydney Living Museums are a little different which makes them some of the best of the museums in Sydney to visit with kids. You see, the Sydney Living Museums have been frozen in time."

"Located on the Kamay Botany Bay National Park’s northern headland and housed in a historic Cable Station building, the La Perouse Museum documents the 1787-1788 expedition of Comte de Lapérouse who arrived in Botany Bay a week after the First Fleet before departing and then mysteriously disappearing. When visiting La Perouse Museum make sure to visit the Macquarie Watchtower, Pere Receveurs Tomb and Bare Island. Opening Times: Wednesdays and Fridays, 10.00 am to 2.00 pm | Saturdays and Sundays, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm | Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.Ticket Prices: FREEAddress: 1542 Anzac Parade, La PerouseWebsite:La Perouse Museum webpage"

"Feature: A mix of Aboriginal history and artefacts from the expedition of French Explore La Perouse who reached Australia in 1788 just days after the English. Unlike many on this list, this Museum is well outside the CBD, in the coastal suburb of La Perouse. Housed in the old Cable Station, which once connected Australia to the rest of the world via telegraph, the Museum commemorates the famous La Perouse expedition, a French scientific endeavour whose ships arrived around Port Jackson at roughly the same time as the First Fleet."

"The last one on this list of free Sydney museums is not as well-known as most other museums, but La Perouse Museum at the southern end of Anzac Parade is certainly worth a visit. The museum is housed in the former Telegraph Cable Station building on the La Perouse headland, and is home to a large collection of exhibits related to the 1787–1788 expedition of a French naval officer and explorer. This expedition arrived in Australia one week after the First Fleet, and vanished without a trace months later."

"Constructed in 1858, Rouse Hill Estate was the home of Richard Rouse, the Colonial Superintendent of Public Works and Convicts at Parramatta, and the generations of his family thereafter (six generations in total) and is an example of the ‘rude’ timber farm buildings that were found throughout rural Australia. A visit to Rouse Hill Estate is quite interesting. The site is the very place where the 1804 ‘Vinegar Hill’ convict rebellion occurred, and the kids can explore the original school that is on the site as well."

"A new addition to the Surry Hills food scene, Shwarmama is, according to Chirilas, “the perfect hangover brunch place. No sitting down – just go in, get the tastiest wrap in the world and get out!. ” The menu is pared back, focussing on a few classic options done right, including the sabich (a breakfast sandwich with fried eggplant and boiled egg), succulent lamb or chicken shawarma (depending on the day) or herby falafel pita."

"A rich and loaded shawarma is a good idea anytime but especially when you’re forced to stay indoors. 📍 Shwarmama, Shop 2/106-112 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010"

"A lively restaurant, to say the least, the Beverly Hills spot is known for its fresh-out-of-the-tank seafood. If you can speak Cantonese or Mandarin, you will be lucky enough to unlock some hidden menu options. If not, the staff will happily translate the extensive menu- make sure you prepare for a feast."